Onyx became a part of our family a little over two years ago. Maacah and I spotted this adorable chihauhau mix at the Humane Society when we visited "just to look...not to adopt." I really was not ready for another dog. We already had a miniature dauschund who had been with us for several years, and Maacah had only just lost her precious Abel, a dauschund mix, to an unknown malady. ​

Onyx, who was named Pierre at the time, lay huddled next to his sister. Both were tiny little things. After the initial, "Oh, how cute," came the "Oh, what happened?" Onyx's right leg was wrapped in a blue cast that seemed impossibly bulky and heavy for such a petite puppy. Upon inquiry we learned that, while visiting another home to become socialized, Onyx had jumped from a couch and broken his brittle leg.

Maacah turned to me and asked, "Can we please see him?" I caved. I shouldn't have, but I did. This was the beginning of the end of my resolve to "just look, not adopt."

Maacah cuddled the shivering little chihauhau mix in her arms. He was very skittish and looked so scared. She fell in love, and I couldn't walk out without placing a hold on the little dear. We probably would have ended up with two, but his sister was already spoken for.

Later that week, this shy little fella came to live with us and we are ever so grateful. He is still skittish, but is becoming braver and more social with others outside of our family. He loves to snuggle, and I am happy to have him by my side, especially when I'm fastened to a spot grading writing projects.​

Below is a template for writing a summary for a novel. The underlined, bold print are elements that will be replaced by specifics from the novel you are summarizing. This template may be followed word for word, or you may use your own style including all the elements. Following each section, there is an example of a summary for Gary Paulsen’s novel Hatchet.​Introduction: Genre, Title, Author, Protagonist’s Name, Theme:In the (genre) novel (title) by (author), (protagonist name) learns/changes/grows through (topic of theme).Example:In the adventure novel Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, Brian grows through perseverance.

Exposition: Protagonist’s Age, Gender, and Character Trait, or SituationIn the exposition of the novel, (character name) is a (age) (gender) who is (a character trait or situation).ExampleIn the exposition of the novel, Brian is a teenage boy who is flying to meet his newly divorced father.

Conflict:As the conflict develops, (character name) faces the challenge of (name the major conflict of the story).ExampleAs the conflict develops, Brian faces the challenge of survival when the pilot of the plane has a heart attack and dies.

Rising Action:In the rising action of the story, (character name) (what the character does). Then (something else happens). Later, (one more event).ExampleIn the rising action of the story, Brian crash-lands the plane into a lake. Then, he eats too many berries and drinks too much water and gets sick. Later, he builds a shelter and learns to fish and hunt for food.

Climax:The climax of the story happens when (character name) faces the greatest challenge when (event that turns the story around).ExampleThe climax of the story happens as Brian faces his greatest challenge when a tornado destroys everything he has created and stored for survival.

Falling Action:The falling action tells of (character name) (action).ExampleThe falling action tells of Brian being rescued after turning on a transmitter that he finds in the plane’s survival kit.

Resolution:In the resolution, (character name) (how he is at the end of the story).ExampleIn the resolution, Brian returns home a stronger person, mentally and physically, and adjusts to his parents’ divorce.

Summary of Hatchet by Gary Paulsen:In the exposition of the novel, Brian is a teenage boy who is flying to meet his newly divorced father. As the conflict develops, Brian faces the challenge of survival when the pilot of the plane has a heart attack and dies. In the rising action of the story, Brian crash-lands the plane into a lake. Then, he eats too many berries and drinks too much water and gets sick. Later, he builds a shelter and learns to fish and hunt for food. The climax of the story happens as Brian faces his greatest challenge when a tornado destroys everything he has created and stored for survival. The falling action tells of Brian being rescued after turning on a transmitter that he finds in the plane’s survival kit. In the resolution, Brian returns home a stronger person, mentally and physically, and adjusts to his parents’ divorce.

Upon being asked the usual question, "How are you?" Jenny always replies, "Tired," and after a thoughtful moment she always adds with a smile, "but happy." The first full week was ... well ... full. By the end of today, students and staff were ready for a three day weekend. We are tired but happy.

This week we continued to learn routines. Sometimes this can be a challenge as each teacher has his or her own expectations. Seventh grade students have risen to the challenge and overall, things are looking good. Please take some time to talk with your child about school. Open ended questions can lead to great conversations. Simply prompting your student with requests such as "Tell me about your day," or "Tell me three good things about school this week," can be eye-opening. My hope is that things are going well, but we all know that life is not made up of only good or easy things. If there is something that I can do to help your child be successful and joy-filled at school, please let me know.

Any avid reader knows that a good book starts with a great beginning, those opening words that draw them into the story and makes them feel a part of the adventure. I think we've had a great beginning four days to the school year. Students seem to feel comfortable already. I hope they feel a part of the adventure of 7th grade. We will hit the ground running on Monday. Systems are in place - students know where they are going and what the expectations are. I'm looking forward to a productive year full of learning and fun.

Today we began note taking. This is new for many students. Check the Resources tab for copies of everything we put in our Resource Notebook. Have a great weekend!​